14 to pause and reflect on the death of Peter, a homeless man in North Sydney whose gentleness and gratitude impacted many. He too had been a gift. Attending international leadership gatherings has provided opportunities over the years, to hear stories of how people around the world witness to the light often from unexpected places and in unexpected way. Listening to these encounters brings alive the words of Isaiah 49:6: “I will make you a light to the nations - so that all the world may be saved.” The Mexico-US Border [7] The first such story was shared by Sister Teresa Maya who on visiting the Mexico-US border met Sister Norma Pimentel whose daily activity was to support the unaccompanied minors crossing the border. When asked what she was doing she simply replied [1] Restoring Dignity One Person at a Time – Teresa Maya UISG Plenary Assembly 2019 “I am restoring human dignity – one person at a time’. Brother Herve in Cameroon [8] On another occasion I participated in a webinar where Brother Herve shared his experience of working in a rural village in Cameroon. Here he assisted in the training of farm-breeding men from largely Muslim villages. One of the activities that was undertaken was the building of a village maize miss for women. On completion the village celebrated. Later Brother Herve visited the Imam’s home. On this occasion the Imam spoke touchingly: "Brother Hervé, I have seen you come to our villages for several years now, living with us, participating in our joys and our mourning, sharing our food and our nights: your simple manner of staying with us has helped me to live my faith as a Muslim better and I thank you for that! Herve confessed that he did not expect such a statement, for the Imam’s regular presence at meetings, even though he was an old man, had helped and encouraged him in his personal life. A Journalist’s Experience on the West Bank [9] Another story comes from the New Zealand journalist Peter Arnett telling of a bombing incident when he was working on the West Bank. A man approaches him carrying a child. He urges Peter to drive them to the hospital under cover. When they arrived, the man and the child were rushed into hospital. Unfortunately, the little girl died. The man was visibly upset and Peter put his arm around him and said: “I'm not married. I don't have any children. I don't know what it's like to lose a daughter.” The man turned his head and said: "My daughter? That little girl is not my child. I'm an Israeli settler, she's a Muslim girl. But maybe the time has come for us to recognise every child as our child."
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